 |
| Kevin Kiermaier scored twice in an 11-4 blowout loss to the Astros |
After completing their second sweep of the season with a solid win over the Mets yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to five games as they opened a week-long homestand against Houston tonight. The Astros won two of three in Houston back in mid-April, outscoring the Blue Jays 19-7. Alek Manoah got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. George Springer gor the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio in RF. Kevin Kiermaier was in CF amd Daulton Varsho was in LF. Whit Merrifield got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it five straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Astros opened the scoring in the 1st inning as Yordan Alvarez singled scoring Mauricia Dubon
- Two batters later, Kyle Tucker singled scoring Jeremy Pena
- Two batters later, Corey Julks hammered a grand slam to left; also scoring Tucker, Alvarez and Jose Abreu
- Alek Manoah pitching line: 0.1IP 7H 6R (all earned) 1BB 0K 38 pitches (22 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 2nd as Alejandro Kirk whacked a solo blast to left-center
- The Astros added a run in the top of the 4th as Avlarez hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Two batters later, Tucker bashed a solo jack to the opposite field in left
- The Astros added a pair of runs in the top of the 5th as Jake Meyers whacked a 2-run blaast to the opposite field in right-center; also scoring Yainer Diaz
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Bo Bichette singled home Kevin Kiermaier
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring] Kiermaier
- Brandon Bielak pitching line: 6.2IP 10H 3R (all earned) 1BB 2K 106 pitches (67 fpr strikes)
- The Astros added a run in the top of the 8th as Alex Bregman singled scoring Chas McCormick
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Daulton Varsho hammered a solo bomb to right.
- Final score: Astros 11 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- This has to be rock bottom for Alek Manoah right? I mean, he couldn't even get out of the 1st inning of tonight's start. giving up 6 runs on 7 hits while walking one and striking out none. At this point, Manoah needs a reset, whether that be a demotion to AAA-ball or a stint on the IL for a neck strain. In some ways, you kind of hope that the struggles of Manoah can be at least partially explained by an injury he's been battling that is affecting his delivery. Something needs to be done because running him out there again is not solving things and having him removed from games early due to pitch count issues just puts pressure on the bullpen.
- The bullpen gave up 5 runs, three of them solo HR. On a pleasant note. the struggling Yimi Garcia pitched a perfect inning of relief.
- The Blue Jays were getting sloppy in the field towards the end of the game too. Whit Merrifield threw the Ball past Vlad and Vlad misplayed a grounder
- Offensively, the Blue Jays tried to chip away at the deficit. but it was too great tonight.. The Blue Jays were 2-9 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 1st season series loss of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Astros righty Hunter Brown
